Not currently on display at the V&A

Ti-Jean and his Brothers

Costume Design
2006 (designed)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Costume design for Forest Creatures in Ti-Jean and his Brothers, made by Ali Pretty, 2006. Rendered for a piece of 'carnival theatre', which was based upon Derek Walcott's play of the same name.

Divided into three sections with each section headed up by a giant devil puppet in three guises based upon Destruction of the Enviroment; Capitalism and Globalisation; and War and Death.

The first section, 'Forest', focuses on the theme Destruction of the Environment. It features the Devil in the guise of Papa Bois, a traditional Trinidadian charater, with the body of a locust. The bird costumes pictured are inspired by cycling gear and made from lycra with cycle helmets decorated with silk and fiberglass.

The second section focuses on Capitalism and Globalisation by featuring a Plantation Owner. This puppet incorporates packaging designed under the British Empire.

The third section, insipired by the theme of War and Death, features the Devil with limbs in the form of weapons. Made with embossed aluminium with war symbols, the puppets were designed and made by Tony Mason, Murphy Winters, and Sofie Layton.


Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleTi-Jean and his Brothers (generic title)
Materials and techniques
Ink and watercolour on paper
Brief description
Costume design by Ali Pretty for Forest Creatures in Ti-Jean and his Brothers, 2006
Physical description
Costume design for Forest Creatures in Ti-Jean and his Brothers. The ink and watercolour rendering depicts two figures in black, yellow, and green. Both have bird-like headdresses.
Dimensions
  • Height: 30.5cm
  • Width: 40.5cm (Note: Measurement includes edge that was previously bound in a notebook.)
Credit line
Given by Ali Pretty
Summary
Costume design for Forest Creatures in Ti-Jean and his Brothers, made by Ali Pretty, 2006. Rendered for a piece of 'carnival theatre', which was based upon Derek Walcott's play of the same name.

Divided into three sections with each section headed up by a giant devil puppet in three guises based upon Destruction of the Enviroment; Capitalism and Globalisation; and War and Death.

The first section, 'Forest', focuses on the theme Destruction of the Environment. It features the Devil in the guise of Papa Bois, a traditional Trinidadian charater, with the body of a locust. The bird costumes pictured are inspired by cycling gear and made from lycra with cycle helmets decorated with silk and fiberglass.

The second section focuses on Capitalism and Globalisation by featuring a Plantation Owner. This puppet incorporates packaging designed under the British Empire.

The third section, insipired by the theme of War and Death, features the Devil with limbs in the form of weapons. Made with embossed aluminium with war symbols, the puppets were designed and made by Tony Mason, Murphy Winters, and Sofie Layton.
Other number
THM/426/26/1/8 - Archive number
Collection
Accession number
S.3449-2015

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Record createdOctober 28, 2015
Record URL
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